Here’s What Owners Loved And Hated About The 2022 Lexus RX
There’s no denying the impeccable quality of Lexus and their stable of SUVs, evidenced by the popularity of the RX format among consumers. Its fourth-generation redesign in 2015 became a winning formula for Lexus, which has largely remained intact seven years later.
According to JD Power, the 2022 Lexus RX is the Best Midsize Premium SUV of that year going by its overall consumer rating of 83/100. It narrowly beats out other luxury contenders like the Cadillac XT5 and Land Rover Defender in terms of reliability and driving experience.
The RX line of crossovers have been consistent top-sellers for the Japanese luxury brand, thanks to their emphasis on comfort, bold design, and even fuel economy. There’s obviously no pleasing everyone, though, as 2022 Lexus RX owners still found some sore spots in their premium SUV.
The 2022 Lexus RX Interior Is A Nice Place To Be In
Let’s start with what owners love most about Lexus cars — the plush and comfortable cabins. Through a tasteful combination of soft leather, wooden/metallic accents, and refined plastic trims, all RX variants offer a thoroughly premium feel. It might not be quite on par with the German competition, but Lexus is known for a luxury experience that doesn’t break the bank.
There’s also very little to complain about the ride (except for the F Sport variant — more on that later), as the RX stays composed around corners and cushions occupants well from harsher road surfaces. Speaking of cushioning, the first and second-row seats accommodate even taller passengers well, offering plenty of room to make lengthy trips a delightful prospect.
Ergonomically, the 2022 Lexus RX continues to improve upon previous model years by adding touchscreen functionality to the infotainment system, rather than forcing the iffy touchpad onto owners. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also come standard, as well as a head-up display to aid in more focused driving.
Owners also highly appreciate the RX’s excellent cabin insulation, which succeeds in keeping wind and tire noise to negligible levels.
Owners Commend The 2022 Lexus RX’s Fuel Economy and Driving Dynamics
Lexus equipped the 2022 RX with a 3.5 liter V6 engine capable of 295hp and 268 lb-ft of torque which, while no slouch on expressways, isn’t exactly blistering. It’s perfectly adequate, and the MPG ratings of 20 city and 27 highway (for the front-wheel drive RX350) are above average in its class.
The hybrid variant on the other hand — the all-wheel drive RX 450h — provides better fuel economy with 31 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. This variant also employs the same 3.5-liter V6, albeit aided by three electric motors that produce a total of 308 horses.
These figures may not seem much especially when compared to the likes of the 2022 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid. Then again, that car is almost double the price of even the highest-end Lexus RX trim.
The drive is also a high point for RX owners, citing the car’s excellent cruising behavior, responsive steering and generally smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. Those who go for the all-wheel drive version sacrifice about 1mpg in exchange for superior traction.
The Issues With Owning A 2022 Lexus RX
Despite the high reliability rating the 2022 Lexus RX garnered, people can’t help but be frustrated at its weird shortcomings, as well. According to JD Power, owners rated the car’s audio system rather poorly, unless they shell out an extra $3000 or so for the premium Mark Levinson sound/navigation option. It’s as if Lexus intentionally made the default speakers bad enough to make folks go for the upgrade.
Another instance of the numerous variants affecting the RX series’ rating is the F Sport trim’s harsh ride quality. While it adds some cooler exterior visuals, the F Sport’s stiffened suspension in the name of spirited driving negates the RX’s comfort-centric ethos. It kind of brings an unnecessary identity crisis to the car’s main selling point, compounded by the fact that the powertrain doesn’t really come off as athletic.
Finally, there’s the L version that expands the car’s length to accommodate a third row of seats. That third row invites ridicule, frankly speaking, as they can hardly fit full-sized adults and even children might struggle to find a comfortable position. If anything, that extra row only cuts into the RX’s below-average cargo space (7.5 cubic feet with the third-row up, 23 cubic feet with it folded down).
The 2022 Lexus RX successfully concludes the RX line’s fourth-generation run, and with good reason — it’s the most refined and well-equipped car in its class without the steep price tag. Judging by how the fifth-generation RX is shaping up, the Japanese luxury brand is sure to have another hit on its hands.